Method, network system and destination network for transmitting QoS during a handover process between systems

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting quality of service (QoS) during a handover process between systems and a network system and a destination network thereof are provided, which enable the QoS to be transmitted to a second access network during a handover process of a user equipment (UE) between systems. The method comprises: a mobility management network element of the second network acquires QoS of a UE during a handover process of the UE from a first network to a second network; and the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the acquired QoS to the access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2008/000261, filed Feb. 1, 2008, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200710003323.6, filed Feb. 2, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication, and more particularly to a method, a network system and a destination network for transmitting QoS during a handover process between systems.

BACKGROUND

As the trend and target of the next generation digital communication technology innovation and development, the 3^(rd)-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is one of the hotspots in the world currently. The 3GPP network structure basically comprises the circuit switched (CS) domain and the packet switched (PS) domain. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the network structure of the 3GPP communication system in the conventional art. The network structure is similar to the second generation mobile communication system, and comprises the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), core network (CN) and user equipments (UEs). The GERAN/UTRAN is adapted to implement all radio-related functions, while the CN processes all the voice calls and data connections in the General Packet Radio Service/Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (GPRS/UMTS) system, and to implement the functions of handover and routing with external networks. Logically, the CN is classified into the CS domain supporting voice services and the PS domain supporting data services. The CS domain comprises nodes such as the Mobile Switching Center Server (MSC-Server), Media Gateway (MGW) and Gateway Mobile Switching Center Server (GMSC-Server). The MSC-Server is adapted to transmit control plane data of the CS domain, and to implement the functions of mobility management, call control, authentication and encryption and the like. The GMSC-Server is adapted to implement the control plane functions of call control and mobility control of the GMSC. The MGW is adapted to implement the transmission of the user plane data. The PS domain comprises nodes such as the Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN) and the Gateway GPRS Supporting Node (GGSN). The GGSN is adapted to interface with the external network, and to implement the transmission of the user plane data. The location of the SGSN in the PS domain is similar to the location of the MSC-Server in the CS domain, and the core functions of the SGSN is to implement the functions of routing and forwarding, mobility management, session management and user information storage, etc. The Home Location Register (HLR) is adapted to store the user subscription information, and the CS and PS domains both use the HLR.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the policy and charging control (PCC) network structure of the 3GPP system. The PCC system network comprises logic entities such as the Application Function (AF), the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), the Subscription Profile Repository (SPR), the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PREF), the Online Charging System (OCS), the Offline Charging System (OFCS), and the Gateway (GW). The AF is a network element providing applications that require dynamic policy control. The PCRF mainly performs the policy control decision and stream charging control function. The SPR is adapted to store the PCC-related subscription data needed by the PCRF. The PCEF mainly provides the service data stream detecting, policy enforcement and stream charging functions, which is a function entity located on the gateway device. The OCS is responsible for the online charging function. The OFCS is responsible for the offline charging function.

In order to enhance the competitiveness of the future network, the 3GPP is researching on a new evolution network architecture, comprising the System Architecture Evolution (SAE) and the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the access network. The evolved access network is referred to as E-UTRAN, and the evolved packet core network architecture is as shown in FIG. 3, comprising logical function entities such as the Mobility Management Entity (MME), the User Plane Entity (UPE) and the Inter Access System Anchor (IASA). The MME is responsible for mobility management of the control plane, comprising the user context and mobile state management, and is responsible for allocating temporary user identities, which is corresponding to the control plane part of the internal SGSN of the current GPRS/UMTS system. The UPE is responsible for initiating paging for downlink data in the idle state, and managing and storing IP bearer parameters and internal network routing information, which is corresponding to the data plane part of the internal SGSN and GGSN of the current GPRS/UMTS system. The IASA acts as the user plane anchor between different access systems. The 3GPP Anchor logical function entity is the user plane anchor between the 2G/3G access system and the LTE access system. The SAE Anchor logical function entity is the user plane anchor between the 3GPP access system and the non-3GPP access system. The PCRF is responsible for policy control decision and stream charging control function. The Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is adapted to store the user subscription information.

Referring to FIG. 4, the process for the handover from the GERAN/UTRAN system to the SAE/LTE system under the MME/UPE separation architecture in the conventional art comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the 2G/3G access system, the 2G/3G SGSN and the SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message comprising the UE context information to the selected MME. The MME creates the UE context and sends the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request).

In step 5, the LTE access system reserves the user plane resources after receiving the handover preparation message sent by the MME, and establishes the radio bearer (LTE access reserves UP resources).

In step 6, the LTE access system sends a handover preparation confirm message to the MME, and the MME sends the handover preparation confirm message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Preparation Confirm).

In step 7, the 2G/3G SGSN initiates a handover command to the UE (Handover Command).

In step 8, Means to minimize loss of data, such as data forwarding or bi-casting process, is performed. The lossless data processing is not the content of the present disclosure, and will not be described here.

In step 9, the LTE access system detects the UE (UE Detection).

In step 10, the LTE access system sends a handover complete message to the MME, and the MME sends the handover complete message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Complete).

In step 11, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover complete acknowledgement message to the MME (Handover Complete Ack).

In step 12, the route from the UPE/IASA user plane to the LTE access system is established (User Plane route update).

In step 13, the source 2G/3G access system releases the resources (Resource Release).

In step 14, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA.

During researches and applications, the inventors find a problem in the process described above, that is, multiple SAE bearers in the existing SAE system share the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as the Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR). These SAE bearers have no separate QoS parameters such as the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) in the LTE access system. In the current 2G/3G access systems, the bearers all use separate QoS parameters such as the MBR, but no bear shares QoS parameters such as the MBR, and the current 2G/3G subscription data has no QoS parameters such as the AMBR. Thus, during the handover from the 2G/3G system to the SAE system, the SAE system cannot determine QoS parameters such as the AMBR when establishing the bearer.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a network system and a destination network for transmitting QoS during a handover process between systems, which can transmit QoS parameters to access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element during a UE's handover process between systems.

The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows: during a handover process of a UE from a first network to a second network, a mobility management network element of the second network acquires QoS of the UE; and the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the acquired QoS to access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element.

Alternatively, during a handover process of a UE from a first network to a second network, access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element acquire QoS of the UE according a preset policy.

The network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a user terminal, a first network and a second network. The second network comprises a mobility management network element of the second network and access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element.

The mobility management network element of the second network is adapted to acquire QoS of the UE during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, and transmit the QoS to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element.

The access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element are adapted to receive the QoS transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network.

Alternatively, the network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a UE, a first network and a second network. The second network comprises a mobility management network element of the second network and access network of the second network and/or a user plane network element.

The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element are adapted to acquire QoS of the UE according to a preset policy during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network.

The acquiring the QoS of the UE according to the preset policy may use one of the following methods.

In a first method, default QoS configured in the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is used as the QoS of the UE.

In a second method, the second network further comprises a mobility management network element of the second network. The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and accumulate the acquired QoS parameter values as the QoS of the UE.

In a third method, the second network further comprises a mobility management network element of the second network. The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and select the maximum value among the values as the QoS of the UE.

Further, the network system further comprises a subscription database. After the handover process of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and transmits the QoS to the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element.

Alternatively, after the handover process of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and compares the subscribed QoS of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy, if the comparison result indicates that they are inconsistent, the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the subscribed QoS of the UE to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element.

The destination network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a mobility management network element. The mobility management network element is adapted to acquire QoS of a UE that initiates handover, and transmit the QoS to an access network and/or a user plane network element. The access network and/or the user plane network element are adapted to receive the QoS transmitted by a core network.

The destination network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an access network and/or a user plane network element. The access network and/or the user plane network element acquire QoS of a UE according to a preset policy during a handover process of the UE from a first network to a second network.

A mobility management network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a pre-acquiring unit and a transmitting unit. The pre-acquiring unit is adapted to acquire QoS of a UE that initiates handover according to a preset policy. The transmitting unit is adapted to send the QoS acquired by the pre-acquiring unit.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS of the UE, and transmits the acquired QoS to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element. Thereby, the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element can acquire the QoS. Alternatively, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS of the UE according to the preset policy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become better understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the 3GPP network structure in the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the 3GPP system PCC network structure in the conventional art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the evolved packet core network architecture of the conventional art;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the process for the handover from the GERAN/UTRAN system to the SAE/LTE system under the MME/UPE separation architecture in the conventional art;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps of the method according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the signaling of the method according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the attached signaling of the user in the 2G/3G access system of the method according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the handover signaling from the 2G/3G access system to the LTE access system of the method according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the signaling of the method according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the signaling of the method according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the signaling of the method according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the signaling of the method according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the network system structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a structure view of the specific implementation of the network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of the mobility management network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to transmit the QoS to access network of the second network during a handover process of the UE between systems, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of transmitting QoS during a handover process between systems. Referring to FIG. 5, the method according to the first embodiment comprises the following steps.

In S1, during a handover process of a UE from a first network to a second network, a mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS parameters of the UE.

The mobility management network element of the second network can acquire the QoS parameters of the UE through the following three methods.

In the first method, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS according to a preset policy. The preset policy is to use default QoS configured in the mobility management network element of the second network as the QoS of the UE. Alternatively, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires QoS parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and accumulates the acquired QoS parameter values as the QoS of the UE. Alternatively, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and selects the maximum value as the QoS of the UE.

In the second method, when the UE is connected to the first network, a network element of the first network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from a subscription database in which the QoS is configured; and during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the network element of the first network informs the mobility management network element of the second network of the subscribed QoS of the UE, so that the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS of the UE.

In the third method, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from a subscription database in which the QoS is configured. The mobility management network element of the second network may acquire the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database in which the QoS is configured as follows: the mobility management network element of the second network sends an acquiring subscription data request message to the subscription database, and the subscribed QoS of the UE is carried in the subscription data returned by the subscription database. Alternatively, the mobility management network element of the second network sends a PCC rules request message, then a PCRF acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and the PCRF sends the subscribed QoS of the UE through a response message to the mobility management network element of the second network. Alternatively, the mobility management network element of the second network sends a create bearer request message to requests to create a bearer, then the PCRF acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, the PCRF sends the subscribed QoS of the UE through a response message to a user plane network element, and then the user plane network element sends the subscribed QoS of the UE through a response message to the mobility management network element of the second network.

In S2, the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the acquired QoS to the access network of the second network.

After the access network of the second network acquires the QoS, the process may further comprise a step S3. In S3, the QoS is transmitted to the user plane network element.

In step S1, according the different methods for the second mobility management network element to acquire the QoS of the UE, the methods of transmitting the QoS to the user network element are also different.

In addition to the method that the mobility management network element of the second network sends the create bearer request message to acquire the QoS in step S1, the QoS may be transmitted to the user plane network element to modify the context of the user plane network element through the following two methods.

In the first method, the access network of the second network sends a route modifying message carrying the QoS to the user plane network element of the mobility management network element of the second network. The user plane network element modifies the corresponding QoS in the context thereof according to the QoS.

In the second method, the mobility management network element of the second network sends a route modifying message carrying the QoS to the user plane network element of the mobility management network element of the second network. The user plane network element modifies the corresponding QoS in the context thereof according to the QoS.

If the first method for the mobility management network element of the second network to acquire the QoS of the UE in step S1 is used, the QoS may be corrected through one of the following two methods.

In the first method, after the handover process of the user planes of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and transmits the QoS to the access network of the second network. Here, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database according to the third method in step S1.

In the second method, after the handover process of the user planes of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and compares the subscribed QoS of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy. If not consistent, the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the subscribed QoS of the UE to the access network of the second network. Here, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database according to the third method in step S1.

The route modifying message according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced by an update bearer request message, which is not discussed in detail in the following embodiments.

The solution of transmitting the QoS to the access network of the second network in the embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced by transmitting the QoS to the user plane network element, or transmitting the QoS to the access network of the second network and the user plane network element, that is, transmitting the QoS to the access network of the second network or the user plane network element, or transmitting the QoS to the access network of the second network and a user plane network element (that is, transmitting the QoS to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element), which will not be discussed in detail in the following embodiments.

Through the method for transmitting the QoS according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the access network of the second network and the user plane network element can acquire the QoS parameters needed by the bearer, and can implement the resource allocation for the bearer according the QoS parameters during a handover process to realize the QoS control of the bearer.

In the method according to the second embodiment, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS according to the preset policy. The preset policy is to use the default QoS pre-configured in the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element as the QoS of the UE. Alternatively, the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and accumulate the acquired QoS parameter values as the QoS of the UE. Alternatively, the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and select the maximum value as the QoS of the UE.

Further, the QoS may be corrected through the following two methods.

In the first method, after a handover process of the user planes of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and transmits the QoS to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element. Here, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database according to the description above.

In the second method, after a handover process of the user planes of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and compares the subscribed QoS of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy. If the comparison indicates that they are inconsistent, the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the subscribed QoS of the UE to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element. Here, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database according to the description above.

In the method according to the third embodiment, the AMBR parameter of the user is subscribed in an HSS, during a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the evolved packet core network provides the AMBR parameter to the LTE access system in advance. After the handover process, the evolved core network acquires the subscription data (comprising the AMBR) of the user from HSS. If the evolved packet core network discovers that the AMBR provided in advance is not consistent with the subscribed AMBR of the user, the evolved packet core network initiates a modification process, informs the LTE access system, or a UPE/IASA, or the LTE access system and a UPE/IASA of the subscribed AMBR of the user. Referring to FIG. 6, the process comprises the following steps:

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the 2G/3G access system, the 2G/3G SGSN and the SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover Required message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message comprising UE context information to the selected MME, the MME creates a UE context and sends the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request). The handover preparation request message sent by the MME provides the AMBR parameter in advance.

The AMBR parameter provided by the handover preparation request message sent by the MME can be acquired through one of the following methods.

In the first method, a default AMBR configured in the MME is used as the AMBR used by the user in the SAE system.

In the second method, the MME acquires MBR parameters in a PDP context transmitted by the user from the 2G/3G SGSN, accumulates all the MBR parameter values as the AMBR used by the user in the SAE system.

In the third method, the MME acquires MBR parameters in a PDP context transmitted by the user from the 2G/3G SGSN, selects the maximum value as the AMBR used by the user in the SAE system.

In step 5, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and creates the radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

In step 6, the LTE access system sends a handover preparation confirm message to the MME, and the MME sends the handover preparation confirm message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Preparation Confirm).

Steps 7 to 11 are similar to steps 7 to 11 in FIG. 4 of the conventional art, that is, the 2G/3G SGSN initiates a handover command to the UE; the LTE access system detects the UE; the LTE access system sends a handover complete message to the MME; the MME sends the handover complete message to the 2G/3G SGSN; the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover complete confirm message to the MME (not discussed in detail). FIG. 6 does not show steps 7-11.

In step 12, the UPE/IASA establishes a route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update), and the UPE/IASA is informed of the AMBR parameter provided in advance in this step.

Step 12 can be performed through the following methods.

In the first method, the LTE access system sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter provided in advance.

In the second method, the MME sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter provided in advance.

In step 13, the source 2G/3G access system releases the resources (Resource Release).

In step 14, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system, and the UPE/IASA.

In step 15, the UE sends a tracking area update (TAU) request message to the MME.

In step 16 a, the MME registers itself to an HSS. In step 16 b, the HSS returns a registration confirm message carrying the subscription information of the user (comprising the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user) to the MME.

In step 17, if the MME finds that the AMBR parameter used by the user is not consistent with the AMBR parameter in the user subscription information, the MME initiates a context information modification process, and informs the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA of the subscription AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 18, the MME sends a TAU accept message to the UE.

In the method according to the fourth embodiment, the AMBR parameter of the user is subscribed in an HSS. During a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the LTE access system or the user plane network element applies the pre-configured AMBR parameter. After the handover, the evolved packet core network acquires the subscription data (comprising the AMBR) of the user from the HSS. If the evolved packet core network finds that the AMBR parameter in use provided in advance is not consistent with the subscription AMBR parameter of the user, the evolved core network initiates a modification process, and informs the LTE access system or the user plane network element of the subscription AMBR of the user. The method comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between a UE, a 2G/3G access system, a 2G/3G SGSN and an SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message comprising UE context information to the selected MME, and the MME creates a UE context and sends the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request).

The LTE access system may use the AMBR parameter provided in advance. The LTE access system may acquire the AMBR parameter provided in advance through one of the following methods:

In the first method, an AMBR parameter pre-configured in the LTE access system is used as the AMBR pre-used by the user in the LTE access system.

In the second method, the LTE access system acquires MBR parameters carried by the handover preparation request message, and accumulates all the MBR parameter values as the AMBR used by the user in the LTE access system.

In the third method, the LTE access system acquires MBR parameters carried by the handover preparation request message, and selects the maximum value as the AMBR used by the user in the LTE access system.

In step 5, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and establishes the radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

In step 6, the LTE access system sends a handover preparation confirm message to the MME, and the MME sends the handover preparation confirm message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Preparation Confirm). The LTE access system may carry the AMBR parameter provided in advance in the handover preparation confirm message to the MME.

Steps 7 to 11 are similar to steps 7 to 11 in FIG. 4 of the conventional art.

In step 12, the UPE/IASA establishes the route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update), and the UPE/IASA may be informed of the AMBR parameter provided in advance in this step.

This step may be performed through the following methods.

In the first method, the LTE access system sends a route modification or update bearer request message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter provided in advance.

In the second method, the MME sends a route modification or update bearer request message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter provided in advance.

If the AMBR parameter is not carried in the route modification or update bearer request message, the UPE/IASA may use the AMBR parameter provided in advance. The UPE/IASA may acquire the AMBR parameter provided in advance through one of the following methods.

In the first method, the AMBR parameter pre-configured in the UPE/IASA is used as the AMBR pre-used by the user in the UPE/IASA.

In the second method, the UPE/IASA acquires MBR parameters carried in the route modification or update bearer request message, and accumulates all the MBR parameter values as the AMBR used by the user in the UPE/IASA.

In the third method, the UPE/IASA acquires MBR parameters carried in the route modification or update bearer request message, and selects the maximum value as the AMBR used by the user in the UPE/IASA.

If the UPE/IASA uses the AMBR parameter provided in advance, the UPE/IASA may inform the MME of the AMBR parameter provided in advance in a route modification or update bearer response message.

In step 13, the source 2G/3G access system releases resources (Resource Release).

In step 14, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA.

In step 15, the UE sends a TAU request message to the MME.

In step 16 a, the MME registers itself to an HSS. In step 16 b, the HSS returns the registration confirm message carrying the subscription information of the user (comprising the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user) to the MME.

In step 17, if the MME finds that the AMBR parameter (that is, the AMBR parameter provided by the LTE access system or the UPE/IASA in advance) used by the user is not consistent with the AMBR parameter in the user subscription information, the MME initiates a context information modification process, and informs the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA of the subscription AMBR parameter of the user. Alternatively, the MME directly initiates a context information modification process, and informs the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA of the subscription AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 18, the MME sends a TAU accept message to the UE.

In the method according to the fifth embodiment, the AMBR is configured in an HSS. When the user registers with the 2G/3G access system, the HSS sends the subscription AMBR data of the user to an SGSN. The SGSN stores the AMBR subscription data, and transmits the data to the MME during a handover process between systems. The MME acquires the transmitted AMBR parameter, and informs the LTE access system.

Referring to FIG. 7, the attach process of the user in the 2G/3G access system comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the UE sends an attach request message to the SGSN.

In step 2, the SGSN sends a location update message to the HSS.

In step 3, the HSS inserts the subscription data of the user into the SGSN.

The informing the SGSN of the AMBR subscription data of the user may be performed through one of the following methods.

In the first method, the AMBR is subscribed in the user SAE subscription data of the HSS, and the HSS inserts the SAE subscription data of the user into the SGSN.

In the second method, the AMBR parameter of the user is added into the user 2G/3G subscription data of the HSS, and the HSS inserts the AMBR subscription data into the SGSN when inserting the 2G/3G subscription data of the user into the SGSN.

In step 4, the SGSN stores the AMBR parameter of the user in the context of the user, and then inserts a subscription data confirm message back into the HSS.

In step 5, the HSS returns a location update confirm message to the SGSN.

In step 6, the SGSN returns an attach accept message to the UE.

Referring to FIG. 8, the process for the handover process from the 2G/3G access system to the LTE access system comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between a UE, a 2G/3G access system, a 2G/3G SGSN and an SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message to the selected MME, and the UE context information comprised in the message contains the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user. The MME creates a UE context according to the context information in the received handover preparation request message, and sends the handover preparation request message (carrying the AMBR parameter of the user) to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request).

In step 5, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and establishes a radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

Steps 6 to 11 are similar to steps 6 to 11 of the method according to the third embodiment, and are not shown in FIG. 8.

In step 12, the UPE/IASA establishes the route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update), and informs the UPE/IASA of the AMBR parameter of the user.

This step can be performed through one of the following methods:

In the first method, the LTE access system sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In the second method, the MME sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 13, the source 2G/3G access system releases the resources (Resource Release).

In step 14, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA.

In the method according to the sixth embodiment, the AMBR is configured in an HSS. During a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the MME sends a message to the HSS, and acquires the subscription data in the HSS, and then the MME informs the LTE access system of the AMBR in the subscription data. Referring to FIG. 9, the method comprises the following steps:

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between a UE, a 2G/3G access system, a 2G/3G SGSN and an SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message to the selected MME.

In step 5 a, the MME sends an acquire subscription data request message to the HSS. In step 5 b, the HSS returns the SAE subscription data of the user to the MME. The SAE subscription data comprises the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 6, the MME creates a context of the UE and sends a handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request), and carries the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user in the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system.

In step 7, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and establishes a radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

Steps 8 to 13 are similar to steps 6 to 11 of the method according to the third embodiment, and are not shown in FIG. 9.

In step 14, the UPE/IASA establishes the route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update), and informs the UPE/IASA of the AMBR parameter of the user.

This step can be performed through one of the following methods:

In the first method, the LTE access system sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In the second method, the MME sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 15, the source 2G/3G access system releases the resources (Resource Release).

In step 16, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA.

In the method according to the seventh embodiment, the AMBR parameter is configured in an SPR. The user uses a PCC mechanism when activated in the 2G/3G system to acquire the AMBR parameter configured in the SPR, and then stores the AMBR parameter in a PDP context or an MM context. During a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the SGSN transmits the AMBR parameter to the MME. The MME acquires the transmitted AMBR parameter, and then informs the LTE access system.

Referring to FIG. 10, the activation process of the user in the 2G/3G access system comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the UE sends an activate PDP context request message to an SGSN.

In step 2, the SGSN sends a create PDP context request message to a GGSN.

In step 3, the GGSN sends a PCC rules request message to a PCRF, and requests to acquire a PCC rule corresponding to the PDP context.

In step 4, the PCRF does not have subscription data of the user, and sends a subscription data request message to the SPR to acquire the subscription data of the user.

In step 5, the SPR returns a subscription data response carrying the subscription data of the user, comprising the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 6, the PCRF stores the subscription data of the user, and then returns a PCC rules provision message carrying the PCC rule and the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user to the GGSN.

In step 7, the GGSN returns a create PDP context response message carrying the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user to the SGSN.

In step 8, the SGSN stores the AMBR parameter of the user into the context, and returns an activate PDP context response message.

The process for handover from the 2G/3G to the SAE system is the same as the process in the fourth embodiment.

In the method according to the eighth embodiment, the AMBR parameter is configured in an SPR. During a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the MME uses a PCC mechanism to acquire the AMBR parameter subscribed in the SPR, and then informs the LTE access system. Referring to FIG. 11, the method comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between a UE, a 2G/3G access system, a 2G/3G SGSN and an SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (Handover Initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message to the selected MME.

In step 5, the MME sends a PCC rules request message to the PCRF, requesting the PCC rule of the user.

In step 6, the PCRF has no subscription data of the user, and the PCRF sends a subscription data request message to the SPR to acquire the subscription data of the user.

In step 7, the SPR returns a subscription data response carrying the subscription data of the user, comprising the AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 8, the PCRF stores the subscription data of the user, and then returns a PCC rules provision message carrying the PCC rule and the AMBR parameter of the user to the MME.

In step 9, the MME creates a context of the UE and sends the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request), and carries the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user in the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system.

In step 10, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and establishes a radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

Steps 11 to 16 are similar to steps 6 to 11 of the method according to the third embodiment, and are not shown in FIG. 9.

In step 17, the UPE/IASA establishes the route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update), and informs the UPE/IASA of the AMBR parameter of the user.

This step can be performed through one of the following methods.

In the first method, the LTE access system sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In the second method, the MME sends a route modification message to the UPE/IASA to modify the user plane route of the UPE/IASA to the LTE access system. The message carries the AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 18, the source 2G/3G access system releases the resources (resource release).

In step 19, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system and the UPE/IASA.

In the method according to the ninth embodiment, the AMBR parameter is configured in the SPR. During a handover process from the 2G/3G to the SAE system, the MME triggers a create process of a default bearer; the MME sends a message to a UPE/3GPP anchor to inform the UPE/3GPP anchor of the creation of the default bearer; the UPE/3GPP anchor sends a message to the PCRF to acquire the AMBR parameter in the SPR subscribed by the user, and then transmits the parameter to the MME; the MME acquires the transmitted AMBR parameter, and then informs the LTE access system. Referring to FIG. 12, the method comprises the following steps.

In step 1, the IP bearer service is established between a UE, a 2G/3G access system, a 2G/3G SGSN, and an SAE UPE/IASA.

In step 2, the 2G/3G access system decides to initiate a handover process to hand over to the LTE access system (handover initiation).

In step 3, the 2G/3G access system initiates a handover request message to the 2G/3G SGSN (Handover Required). The 2G/3G SGSN selects an MME to process the handover.

In step 4, the 2G/3G SGSN sends a handover preparation request message to the selected MME.

In step 5, the MME sends a create bearer request message to the UPE/IASA, requesting to create a default bearer.

In step 6, the UPE/IASA requests a PCC rules request message to the PCRF, requesting to acquire the PCC rule of the default bearer.

In step 7, the PCRF does not have subscription data of the user, and sends a subscription data request message to the SPR to acquire the subscription data of the user.

In step 8, the SPR returns a subscription data response carrying the subscription data of the user, comprising the AMBR parameter of the user.

In step 9, the PCRF stores the subscription data of the user, and then returns a PCC rule provision message carrying the PCC rule and the AMBR parameter of the user to the UPE/IASA.

In step 10, the UPE/IASA returns a create bearer response message carrying the AMBR parameter of the user to the MME.

In step 11, the MME creates a context of the UE and sends a handover preparation request message to the LTE access system (Handover Preparation Request), and carries the subscribed AMBR parameter of the user in the handover preparation request message to the LTE access system.

In step 12, after receiving the handover preparation request message sent by the MME, the LTE access system reserves the resources of the user plane, and establishes a radio bearer (LTE Access reserves UP resources).

Steps 13 to 18 are similar to steps 6 to 11 of the method according to the third embodiment, and are not shown in FIG. 12.

In step 19, the UPE/IASA establishes the route of the user plane to the LTE access system (User Plane route update).

In step 20, the source 2G/3G access system releases resources (Resource Release).

In step 21, the IP bearer service is established between the UE, the LTE access system, and the UPE/IASA.

It should be noted that, for the convenience of illustration, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described on the basis of the architecture of the independent MME logical function entity and the integrated UPE and IASA logical function entities. However, the present disclosure does exclude the other location combinations of the above logical entities in the core network, such as the integrated MME/UPE logical function entities, the independent IASA logical function entity, the integrated MME/UPE/IASA logical function entity, or the separate MME/UPE/IASA logical function entities.

Referring to FIG. 13, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network system, comprising a UE, a first network and a second network. The second network comprises a second network core network and access network of the second network.

A mobility management network element of the second network is adapted to acquire QoS of the UE during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, and transmit the QoS to the access network of the second network.

The access network of the second network is adapted to receive the QoS transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network.

Further, the mobility management network element of the second network may acquire the QoS of the UE through one of the following methods.

In the first method, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS according to a preset policy.

In the second method, the first network is adapted to acquire the subscribed QoS for the UE from a subscription database in which the QoS is configured when the UE is connected, and inform the mobility management network element of the second network of the QoS. The mobility management network element of the second network is adapted to receive the QoS of the first network.

In the third method, the mobility management network element of the second network is adapted to acquire the subscribed QoS for the UE from a subscription database in which the QoS is configured.

Referring to FIG. 13, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network system, comprising a UE, a first network and a second network. The second network comprises a user plane network element and/or access network of the second network.

The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is adapted to acquire QoS of the UE according to a preset policy during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network.

The acquiring the QoS of the UE according to the preset policy may be performed through one of the following methods.

In the first method, a default QoS configured in the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is used as the QoS of the UE.

In the second method, the second network further comprises a mobility management network element of the second network. The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is adapted to acquire QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and accumulate the acquired QoS parameter values as the QoS of the UE.

In the third method, the second network further comprises a mobility management network element of the second network. The access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is adapted to acquire QoS parameter values transmitted by the mobility management network element of the second network, and select the maximum value among the values as the QoS of the UE.

Further, the network system further comprises a subscription database. After the handover process of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and transmits the QoS to the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element.

Alternatively, after the handover process of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy is completed, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from the subscription database, and compares the subscribed QoS of the UE with the QoS acquired according to the preset policy. If the comparison result indicates that they are inconsistent, the mobility management network element of the second network transmits the subscribed QoS of the UE to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the specific implementation of the above system, the mobility management network element of the second network may comprise a mobility management network element (for example, the MME in an evolved network). The mobility management network element is adapted to acquire the QoS of the UE during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, and transmit the QoS to the access network of the second network.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a destination network, comprising a core network, and an access network and/or a user plane network element.

The core network is adapted to acquire QoS of a UE that initiates a handover process, and transmit the QoS to the access network and/or the user plane network element. The core network acquires the QoS according to a preset policy, or acquires the subscribed QoS of the UE from a subscription database in which the QoS is configured.

The access network and/or the user plane network element is adapted to receive the QoS transmitted by the core network.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a destination network, comprising an access network and/or a user plane network element.

The access network and/or the user plane network element is adapted to acquire QoS of a UE according to a preset policy during a handover process of the UE from a first network to a second network. The preset policy is one of the following:

In the first preset policy, a default QoS configured in the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element is used as the QoS of the UE.

In the second preset policy, the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire, from the mobility management network element of the second network, the QoS parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and accumulate the acquired QoS parameter values as the QoS of the UE.

In the third preset policy, the access network of the second network element and/or the user plane network element acquire, from the mobility management network element of the second network, the QoS parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and select the maximum value among the values as the QoS of the UE.

Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a mobility management network element, comprising a pre-acquiring unit and a transmitting unit.

The pre-acquiring unit is adapted to acquire QoS of a UE which initiates a handover process according to a preset policy.

The transmitting unit is adapted to send the QoS acquired by the pre-acquiring unit.

To sum up, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, during a handover process of the UE from the first network to the second network, the mobility management network element of the second network acquires the QoS of the UE, and transmits the acquired QoS to the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element, so that the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS. Alternatively, the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS of the UE according to the preset policy.

Thus, after the access network of the second network and/or the user plane network element acquire the QoS, a radio bearer and a user plane bearer can be established according to the QoS, so as to complete the handover process of the UE between systems.

It can be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that, all or a part of the steps in the methods according to the above embodiments may be implemented through hardware instructed by a program. The program may be stored in a computer readable storage media. When executed, the program may comprise the steps described in the embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively. The storage media is, for example, a ROM/RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method for transmitting Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) parameter during a handover process of a UE from a first network to a second network, the method comprising: acquiring, by a second network mobility management network element, a first AMBR of the UE; transmitting, by the second network mobility management network element, the acquired first AMBR to a second network access network and/or a user plane network element; and wherein acquiring the first AMBR of the UE comprises any one of: (a) default AMBR configured in the second network mobility management network element is used as the first AMBR of the UE; (b) the second network mobility management network element acquires MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and accumulates the acquired MBR parameter values as the first AMBR of the UE; and (c) the second network mobility management network element acquires the MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and selects the maximum value as the first AMBR of the UE.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein after transmitting, by the second network mobility management network element, the acquired first AMBR to the second network access network and/or a user plane network element, the method further comprises: acquiring, by the second network mobility management network element, a subscribed AMBR for the UE from a subscription database; and transmitting the subscribed AMBR to the second network access network and/or a user plane network element.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein after transmitting, by the second network mobility management network element, the acquired AMBR to the second network access network and/or a user plane network element, the method further comprises: acquiring by the second network mobility management network element, a subscribed AMBR of the UE from a subscription database; comparing the subscribed AMBR of the UE with the first AMBR; and if the comparison result indicates that they are inconsistent, transmitting, by the second network mobility management network element, the subscribed AMBR of the UE to the second network access network and/or a user plane network element.
 4. A network system comprising: a mobility management network element, and an access network element and/or a user plane network element, wherein the mobility management network element is adapted to acquire a first Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) of the UE during a handover process of the UE from a first network to the network system, and transmit the first AMBR to the access network element and/or the user plane network element, wherein the mobility management network element is adapted to acquire the first AMBR by any one of the followings: using a default AMBR configured in the mobility management network element as the first AMBR of the UE; acquiring MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and accumulating the acquired MBR parameter values as the first AMBR of the UE; and acquiring MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE from the first network, and selecting the maximum value as the first AMBR of the UE; the access network element and/or the user plane network element is adapted to receive the first AMBR transmitted by the mobility management network element.
 5. A mobility management network element, comprising: a pre-acquiring unit, adapted to acquire a first Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) of a User Equipment (UE) during the handover process of the UE; a transmitting unit, adapted to send the first AMBR acquired by the pre-acquiring unit; wherein the pre-acquiring unit is adapted to acquire the first AMBR of the UE by any one of the followings; using a default AMBR configured in the mobility management network element as the first AMBR of the UE; acquiring MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE and accumulating the acquired MBR parameter values as the first AMBR of the UE; and acquiring MBR parameter values transmitted by the UE and selecting the maximum value as the first AMBR of the UE. 